Wire fabric and method of making the same



WIRE FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed 0012.12, 1927 INVENTOR.

5 By Jog I 7. W81, 5. Fig. 7

ATTOR EYs.

Patented Apr. 7 23, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,710,669 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN r. wars, or NYACK; New Yoax, assrenoa'ro mn'rnoronrrm snwme cams CORPORATION, or NYACK, nnw roux, A conronarron 01' DELAWARE.

wmn FABRIC m mnrnon or immune 'rnn SAME.

Application filed October 12, 1927. .Serial No. 225,832..

This invention relates to wire fabrics, .an object of the invention being to provide an improved wire fabric havin a friction-grip cushioned edge formed one or more 5 threads of yarn, string, orsimilar material, permanently interlaced, braided, knitted, crocheted, or stitched thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved wire fabric and method of making the same adapted particularly for use aswindow and door screening and analogous purposes, having a frictionrip' cushioned edge formed of mate rial ifi'erent from that of which the fabric itself is formed.

A. further object of the invention is the rovision of an improved wire fabric having at intervals markers to designate the length of the fabric and also to facilitate 2 the cutting thereof at right angles-to its length. I further object of the invention is the provision of an improved wire fabric or cloth provided with reinforced cushioned edges of relatively soft, and compressible material, ermanently secured to the fabric, and w llCh fabric may also be provided at intervals with markers of similar or different material.

lghi s'nevv wire fabric is easy to handle, the composite edge margins form a'friction-grip cushioned edge providing a very convenient rib to grasp for stretching the fabric on a in place, and. also offers great resistance to pressure to prevent sa glng when secured to a frame and clam between two members like those used fer doors and windows. This friction cushioned margin facilitates 40 not only the handling during the stretching of it on frames, but also while tacking it in ric on the clamp members, whereby the fabric will stay put against greater pressure even though fewer nails be used to secure it in place. Moreover, this friction cushion length, square with the longitudinal edges,

'ioned edges may be used to provide markers frame or the like when securing thescreen.

cutting of the fabric to length.

edged wire fabric is less ir pt to cut or injure the workers fingers. e friction cushioned edges also offer a means of marking the distance to accurately sever the fabric to and by counting the markings, lineal measurement is determined without a measuring instrument. 1

Thus among the advantages of the inventionmay be noted the following: A wire fabric is provided having a friction-grip I cushioned and reinforced edge formed of a composite or compound margin along such edge, which is compressible and which cush to indicate the lineal measurement and facilitate the squaring of the fabric during the cutting thereof and to serve as a ide when severing the cloth across its wid ii In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Fig. 1 illustrates my new wire fabric with friction cushioned edges; Fig. 2 is an enlar ed sec-" tion illustrating how the wire fa ric is clamped between frame members; Fig. 3 shows one form of marker in the form of braid or ta e secured to the fabric; Fig. 4 shows another method of marking by zi zagging the needles and thereby the stitc toward and from one another simultaneously with the stitching; Fig. 5 shows an overstitched edge which may also be formed or provided withmarkers; Fig. 6 is an enlargement of a suitable form of stitch. The view shows a stitch around each cross wire of the fabric; Fig. 7 shows the same stitch as Fig. 6 but wra ped around every other wire; and Fi 8 siiows a fabric'havin another form 0 marker made up of smal circular pieces of material like washers of tough paper or other material, secured to shows a thread alternating back and forth cross the fabric from one marker to another,

thus forming a straight edge to guide the 0 Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, I desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of 110 other embodiments, and that the phraseology which I employ is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The warp wires of the fabric are designated by 2 and theweft or Woof or filler wires of the fabric by 1 and these wires may be woven to form any kind of fabric with meshes to suit any needs.

The new feature of this fabric is the friction cushioned edge 3 along each border permanently secured thereto. In the present instance this cushioned edge is shown formed by stitching by means of sewing machines which pass the needles through each or every other mesh, thus carrying the loops of needle thread around the woof wires, the needles coacting with loopers which may also carry threads. In this way a two-third stitch is formed making a rib of sufficient size to form a friction cushioned 'grip.

Other means such as knitting needles either latched or spring needles may be used to form the stitches. I

While various forms and kind of stitches may be used the stitches shown in Figs. ,1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, are the Grover and Baker, now known as United States Government stitch 401,.comprising a needle thread 4 and a looper thread 5. This type of stitch can be formed differently by arranging the tensions of needle and loopcr threads so as to make tight or loose stitches, elastic or unelastic stitches, fiat, beaded or ribbed stitches, and is therefore very suitable for the present purpose. Another advantage of this type of stitch is that it can be made with continuous threads, thus avoiding the use of and the winding of bobbins.

The stitch has the bulk of or more thread on the bottom than on the top side of the fabric, and the formation permits the stitches to shift under pressure between the Wires of the fabric. By the use of larger threads or twine different size friction cushions may be built up, and by the use of diffeiient colored material, one fabric can be distinguished from another or one manufacturers product from that of another.

In Fig. 1 the stitch is illustrated as somewhat flattened while in Figs. 6 and 7 the stitch is ribbed or beaded. In Fig. 6 a stitch bight is formed around each wire and when the looper and needle thread are.

drawn taut, these threads lie tightly against the wires on top and bottom. These enlarged views show the stitches loose for clearness of description. In F ig. 5 an over stitch is shown. This formation requires more thread and while not as suitable as the are placed at intervals out of line away from the edge of the fabric, for use as markers, or as in Fig. 8 washers 7 are stitched at intervals to the fabric, these washers being formed of suitable material, such as paper or the like, every six or twelve inches to mark the lineal distance.

In Fig. 3, the markers are shown in the form of tapes or braids 8, which protrude from the edge 50 that when the fabric is in roll form a means is provided to determine the lineal content of the roll.

In Fig. 8, it will also be seen that an additional thread 9 is introduced under the marker 7, or in other instances it may be introduced and fastened by the stitch itself at the point of marking. This thread 9 passes from one of the markers 7 to a marker indicated by 10 and then across the fabric at 11 to a marker 12, then along the fabric 13 to a marker 14, then across the fabric 15 to a marker 16, and then along the fabric as at 17' to repeat the alternate line of travel. This combination marker indicates the lineal distance and also provides a straight edge across the fabric so that it may be cut on a straight line without the aid of a square or other instrument. This thread marker is inexpensive and readly withdrawn after it has served its purpose and also offers another meansto distinguish different classes of fabrice.

In the manufacture of these wire fabrics suitable instrumentalities may be operated in conjunction with the looms so that the stitches can be placed in the edge margins simultaneously with the formation of the fabric, thereby keeping the cost to a minimum. This however is practical only with.

certain kinds of wire fabric, principally those made from bronze or copper wire that do not require any subsequent treatment other than perhaps a thin lacquer to maintain a bright finish, and such lacquer will not interfere with the friction cushioned edges.

In the manufacture and processing of wire fabric that requires agalvanized-finish, the friction cushioned ed e must he applied after the galvanizing, for it is quite essential to have the wire fabric absolutely clean and to accomplish this, it must be passedthrough baths of chemicals and electro cleaners, where it is subject to considerable heat and acids that seriously affect the cushioned edges. Therefore, this particular kind of fabric must have the friction cushioned edges applied thereto as a last step in the process just prior to the final rolling of the material.

Therefore, the stitching instrumentalities are operated in conjunction with the recessing machine to apply the stitches orming the friction cushioned edges as the material feeds through.

Wire fabrics that require it aint or ja )ilIl must be treated similar to the galvanized wire fabric and .the application of the friction cushioned edges would be precisely the same, that is to say, after all the other operations of cleaning, painting, varnishing, and drying have been completed, the stitches would be applied just prior to the final rolling g It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of itsuse, I claim:

1. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having amesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing machine stitches forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be egectively gripped and clamped along such e gas.

2. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing machine stitches of relatively soft, compressible material forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges.

3. A screen fabric formed of metal wire andhaving a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with looped threads of a material different from that of which the body of the fabric is formed forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges.

4. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof wlth sewing machine stitchds passing between and around the woof wires of the fabric forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges.

5. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing nachine stitches after the body of the fabric is formed forming friction-gripped, cush oned edges adapting the fabric to'be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges.

6. A fabric screen formed of metal wire provided along the parallel side edges thereof with interlocked sewing machine stitches forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges by the frame of the screen. i i

7. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a meshadapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing machine stitches forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges, sald fabric having markers at redetermined distances along a parallel er ge.

8. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing machine stitches 1 forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges, said fabric having markers of a different material along a parallel edge.-

9-."A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh'adapting it for use for screening purposes and provided along the parallel side edges thereof with sewing machine stitches forming friction-gripped, cushioned edgesadaptin the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges, said fabric having stitched markers at p'edetermined distances along a parallel e ge.

10. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening )urposes and provided'along the parallel si e edges thereof with sewing machine stitches forming friction-gripped, cushioned edges adaptin the fabric t o-be effectively gri ped and clamped along such edges, said fa ric having means for designating the lineal length of said fabric and for facilitating the cutting of the same square with a longitudinal parallel edge thereof.

11. A screen fabric formed of metal wire and having a mesh adapting it for use for screening urposes and provided along the parallel si e edges thereof with sewing mm chine stitches forming friction-gripped,

cushioned edges adaptin the fabric to be effectively gri ped and .c amped along such edges, said fa ric having means for designating the lineal length of said fabric and for facilitating the cutting of the same s uare with a longitudinal parallel edge thereo and comprising a material stitched thereto at.

intervals along the length of the fabric.

12. The method of making wire fabrics which consists of first forming the fabric of wire having a mesh ada ting it for use for screening purposes and t en passing through the meshes thereof and around the wires of to be effectively gripped and clamped along a such edges;

13. The method of making wire fabrics which consists of first forming the fabric of wire having a mesh adapting it for use for screening purposes and then stitching the fabric along the parallel edges thereof with a relatively soft, compressible thread of sufficient size to form along theparallel borders of the fabric friction-gripped, cushioned edges adapting'the fabric to be effectively gripped and clamped along such edges.

14. The'method of making wire fabrics which consists of first forming the fabric of stitch thread of su cient size to form along the parallel borders of the fabric frictiongripped, cushioned edges adapting the fabric to e effectively gripped and clamped along such edges, and simultaneously providing the fabric at intervals with suitable markcrs.

Signed at Nyack, New York, this 10th day of Oct, 1927.

JOHN P. WEIS; 

